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HyperSizer Express for the composite engineer

09 March 2016

Collier Research released HyperSizer Express, which delivers key capabilities of Collier’s HyperSizer tool in a user-friendly package aimed at the composite engineer.

Manufacturers in an ever-widening array of industries are discovering the versatility of composites for strong, lightweight designs. Whatever the application, for the most cost-efficient and highest performance use of these advanced materials, design optimisation software is essential.

“Not every designer or engineer working with composites needs all the options in the professional version of our software,” says Collier founder and president Craig Collier. “Yet they do want the robustness of a proven, core analytical code running underneath, from the very early stages of their design process. HyperSizer Express provides all that—and it’s fast and easy to use”

Collier notes that 95 percent of users can, without a manual or instruction, import their finite element model (FEM) into Express and produce optimum composite laminates that satisfy all analyses to all load cases within 30 minutes. The automatically updated model will arrive at the minimum weight with global plies identified, layer by layer, producing fully manufacturable laminate designs.

“This kind of nonparametric optimisation in Express is one reason it is so easy to use,” says Collier. “You don’t have to put in constraints or minimum/maximum values. You just say, ‘I want to make this out of carbon fibre,’ or ‘I want to make this out of fibreglass,’ and the software will show you the optimum solution based on your FEM.”

Tighter coupling to FEA optimises product behaviour analysis

Express is even more tightly coupled to FEA programs, such as NASTRAN and Abaqus, than the Pro version is. “Tight FEA coupling is key for the types of mechanical response analyses an engineer would carry out with Express,” says Collier. “These are driven primarily by bending stiffness, which requires a direct interaction with FEA solutions when optimising laminate stackings.”

In the case of bike-frame design, for example, there are many “rideability” load cases, such as pedal startups and hard landings. “A common performance test carried out in the lab is to apply a force to the frame to simulate a front tire wall impact,” says Collier. “In addition to optimising to strength criteria to prevent failure, manufacturers want to optimise their composite frames so they only displace a limited amount. These prescribed deflection limits represent desired handling of the bike. Express will effectively optimise the frame for these kinds of deflection limits, with fabric and unidirectional layers, to determine that best shape and location of the individual plies as well as the best orientation they should be placed in.

“These capabilities meet the needs of a broad range of composite engineers who work with laminates as well as with honeycomb or foam cored sandwiches,” he says.

Collier Research’s professional version of its software has most recently been used to help design the heat shield of NASA’s space program’s multipurpose crew vehicle, and the Bell Helicopter/Spirit AeroSystems entry in a Department of Defence program competition.

“When using Express you get the same exact margins of safety and the same exact material allowables as our Pro version intended for the aerospace industry” says Collier. “But now it’s wrapped in a new interface streamlined for more efficient composite design optimisation.”

Express and Pro products are both being used at large OEMs. Some parts are completely designed, analysed, and certified with Express and other parts may first be done in Express, then handed off to Pro to do stiffened panels or bolted/bonded joints. The transition from Express to Pro is seamless because the two programs share the same database.

“Should you want to go to the Pro level later, all the data you’ve entered and computed with Express will be intact so you can see everything you’ve done so far,” says Collier.

While Express is primarily aimed at the composite engineer, it does provide capabilities for metals optimisation as well. “You can use Express to determine whether composite is really the material system you want to use for your product,” says Collier. “You can quickly identify the performance with a different metal, such as aluminium or steel.”

“Optimisation has become an essential tenet of engineering,” Collier says. “Yet there are still so many people out there who are not doing any optimisation at all,” he says. “Our aim is to support them with a user-friendly, practical tool that works for every engineer.”